Although Great Curassows (Crax rubra) once lived in both the Caribbean and Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica, populations are now predominately in a few of the country’s most protected wildlife areas. These females of the species were photographed near Bosque del Cabo on the Osa Peninsula. I have also seen these large birds at Serena, in the heart of the Corcovado National Park. Male Great Curassows are almost entirely black.
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At the lodge in Selva Verde, the staff keep some feeding platforms stocked with fresh fruit to lure the birds where they can easily be seen by visitors. One morning, ripe bananas were on the menu, and these Collared Aracaris (Pteroglossus torquatus) had a feast. They use their long, sharp beaks to break open the peels, tear off a piece of banana, toss it in the air, and gulp it down. I could watch them for hours.
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In the low light of a very rainy day in Selve Verde, these Blue-gray Tanagers (Thraupis episcopus) look a little more lilac than sky blue. This species is one of the most common Tanagers in Costa Rica, and lives all over the country. By the look of this pair, I think somebody is getting scolded!
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Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) often frequent marshy habitats, slowly stalking prey like small fishes. This one was lurking about in the tall grasses around the lagoon near Carate.
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Magnificent Frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) soar over both the Caribbean and Pacific shores of Costa Rica. This male of the species, identified by the red pouch at the bird’s throat, was photographed from a boat at Tortuguero.
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Emerald Toucanets (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) are smaller than their Toucan cousins, and have their own bright feather and bill patterns. This one was photographed in the upper valley of Costa Rica’s Savegre River, and it’s the only snapshot I’ve managed to capture of the species. I particularly like the color of this bird’s dark blue throat.
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Crested Caracaras (Polybus plancus) are members of the falcon family, and can be identified by the white head with a stout black crest, a white and orange bill, barred shoulders, and brown body. They frequent open areas, including pastures and beaches, where they hunt for small animals. This one was photographed from a distance near Carate on the Osa Peninsula.
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Although Anhingas (Anhinga anhinga) are water birds that swim with their bodies submerged, their feathers are not waterproof. Anhingas perch with their wings outstretched so they dry more quickly after diving to spear small fish with their pointed beaks. This female has a brown neck instead of a black one like the males of the species.
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Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) are members of the Threskiornithidae family, along with Ibises. Usually, I have encountered these large, pink wading birds along sea shores, so it was a surprise to see one peering with its flat bill from the low branches of a tree. Roseate Spoonbills can be found in Costa Rica on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. This one was photographed at the Golfo Dulce.
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Holding its best cryptic pose, the Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) in the photo above disguises itself as the stub of a dead and broken branch. The nocturnal bird is comfortable roosting on low perches in open daylight, and this one didn’t even peek as we closely trolled past in a motor boat, snapping pictures.
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